Video code provided by MusicVideoCodes.com

Hippity Hoppity Easter’s on its way!

By Ashli Branch

The legend of a rabbit that lays colorful eggs was brought to the United States in the 18th century. A common Easter tradition for Americans is that the Easter bunny leaves baskets filled with eggs, chocolate, and candy on Easter morning for children who have been good and responsible. Sometimes the children leave the Easter bunny carrots just as they leave Santa Claus cookies.
The history of Easter was introduced to American folklore by German settlers who set around at the Pennsylvania Dutch country in the 1700’s.
The rabbit, also called a bunny or hare, originated as a symbol because of the Germans. In Germany, the first bunny symbol was recognized in German writings from the 1500’s.
In many cultures, eggs symbolize birth and fertility. Rabbits and hares are also symbols of fertility by believing to bring new life during the spring season.
In Austria, rabbits are thought of as a pest. Most Australians would like to replace the Easter bunny with an Easter Bilby. A bilby is a marsupial that lives in Australia and is common in that country as the Easter bunny is common to America.
The France, people believe that colorful eggs aren’t laid by rabbits, but are dropped from the sky instead.
Europeans, however, took different colored eggs from various wild bird nests. Often, the eggs were eaten and searching for the eggs was referred to as an Easter egg hunt. Easter baskets most likely resembled birds’ nests.
In the Middle East and Greece, Orthodox Christians painted eggs red to signify the blood of Christ. Americans have similar customs such as decorating hollow eggs with pictures of Christ, the Virgin Mary and other religious figures.
Germans gave Greek eggs as gifts on Holy Thursday and hung hollow eggs on trees.
A unique custom comes from Austrians; they placed plants around eggs and boiled them, leaving white patterns on the Easter eggs.
The most artistic egg creations come from Poland and Ukraine. Easter eggs were painted silver and gold and then wax was applied in patters on the egg. Then, the egg was dyed, the wax reapplied, and the eggs were boiled again in other shade. The result was a beautiful multi-color striped or patterned egg.
Even though there are many cultures who celebrate Easter in different ways, Easter in America is most remembered as an over-sized bunny who lays colorful eggs on Easter Sunday.

A rather controversial movie was released this past december. Brokeback Mountain was orginionally thought of as a unsuccessful production, but turned out completely different, winning 4 golden globe awards and outstanding reviews from various critics.
In the summer of 1963,while driving cattle on a moutain range between Wyoming and Texas, two young men (Jake Gyllenhaal and Heath Ledger meet and form a very strong lifelong relationship. Their relationship, however, takes a completely unexpected twist, and the men find themselves feeling something stronger than simply friendship. Taking society into consideration, they're forced to keep their love for one another completely discreet. The film then shows viewers how the men continued on with their lives without one another.
From my person point of view, this is more than just a movie. Many issues that people are forced to deal with everyday are finally being recognized-such as homosexuality. Much different than the past, as time goes, more and more people are either becoming more comfortable with this issue, or are less concerned with crucial judgements. Other personal issues are delt with everyday, so producing a movie about homosexuality is a very good idea in my opinion. Many objected to the content of this movie, and few, such as myself, did not. It is becoming more known to society and for some, it is a way of life. And seeing how movies, books, magazine and other newspaper articles discuss topics concering war, homicide, racial issues, heterosexual relationships, and drug/substance abuse, this matter should not be objected to. Like i've said before, it's a way of life and people have to deal with the criticism of others, and i believe that it should be more open.

sigh..

my life is always so predictable. I don't understand it either. So.. from now on im just not going to do anything, so i can't predict the outcome sounds like a good plan to me. This was probably the shortest relationship i've ever had, but this is definitely one of the more hurtful ones. I cried for a while.. and then i realized how silly i was. lol. I'll be okay. I always am. and i guess a lot worse things have occured and i've delt with them just fine.

I called Ty tonight and talked to him. It was good. I miss him so much. And we talked about how he's not going to love dakota because hannah and i said so. lol Plus, i think shechaniah and i made it pretty clear to him why he SHOULDN'T love her. HA! lol Oh lord.. i'm about ready to go to bed. I'm really tired. Emily is grounded. She got her mustang taken away. How sad.
ugh im going now..

hmm yesterday i skipped school and went to convington.. it was fun. I wanted to go to the salvation army, but we didn't have time. I did get my second milkshake in a row though, go ME! haha ok im sitting in 6th period abotu to cry ebcause i want out of here so bad. We have an assembly today at 1:30 or something.. but we still have 8th period for an hour. .. which really sucks, but i guess i'll be okay. It's friday...mhmm. And i don't have to babysit.. so im excited! Um... me, shechaniah and kenzi talked about the best topic today in 5th. It was about emo guys.. and them kissing! HOW FUN! lol we seriously had a 60 minute conversation. AH! We're just crazy i guess. Hm.. well i guess there really isn't much more to say, but PLEASE don't think im crazy because i think emo guys kissing is hott... because shechaniah does too! and kenzi! and emily! and my sister! hA! lol ok bye